LIBRARY HANDBOOKS Essentials IN Library Administration CHICAGO AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 1922 ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY New York State Colleges OF Agriculture and Home Economics AT Cornell University Cornell University Library Z 670.S85 Essentials in library administration, 3 1924 014 515 989 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014515989 LIBRARY HANDBOOKS ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION BY LUTIE EUGENIA STEARNS THIRD EDITION REVISED AND ENLARGED BY ETHEL FAEOUHAR MCCOLLOUGH Evansville Public Library CHICAGO AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 1922 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION CONTENTS Page Introduction to second edition 5 Introduction to third edition 6 Necessity for free libraries 7 How to.arouse and use local interest 8 Board of Directors 9 The librarian H Volunteer service 12 Library assistants 12 The apprentice system - 12 Library training 13 The library building: its location and interior arrangement 14 Hours and days of opening 16 Rules and regulations 17 Library branches and stations 18 The library and the child 19 The library and -the school 22 School duplicate collections 23 Bulletin boards 24 Picture collections 24 Selection of books 25 Reference books 27 Books in foreign languages 28 Periodicals — bound and current 28 Pamphlets and clippings 29 Renting collections of popular books 30 Local history collections 30 Public documents 31 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION COtiTENTS— Continued Pace Business side of a library 32 Advertising the library '" Reports and statistics 38 Order routine 3' Mechanical preparation of books 41 Accessioning 42 Classification 47 Shelf list : 50 The card catalog 52 Printed catalog cards 54 Important aids for adult cataloging 56 Loan system 56 Bl anks and forms 58 Withdrawal record 62 Binding 62 Mending 65 Disinfection of books 68 Furniture and fixtures 70 Supplies for a 1,000 volume library 76 Addresses of library supply houses 77 Library literature 77 Addresses of publishers mentioned 79 County libraries 79 Library commissions 79 Library associations gj Index 05 INTRODUCTION TO SECOND EDITION This tract is compiled, with modifications and additions, from the Handbook of Library Organization of the Library Commissions of Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, permission having been given by the officers of the Minnesota State Library Commission, editors, for which grateful acknowledgment is herewith tendered. Thanks are also due Miss Julia E. Elliott, Chicago, 111., and the staff of the Uni- versity of Illinois Library School for valuable assistance. The tract is intended to supplement two of the Library Tracts previously issued by the Publishing Board — "Why Do We Need a Public Library?" and "How to Start a Public Library," to which attention is invited. It is addressed primarily to the untrained li- brarian and to library trustees. For further information the librarian is referred to Hints to Small Libraries, by Mary W. Plummer. L. E. Stearns. Madison, Wisconsin April, 1912 INTRODUCTION TO THIRD EDITION The second edition of Essentials in Library Administration has long been out of print. A persistent demand necessitated its reissue. Ten years of library progress mean many changes in the new edition. These changes have been made as the day's work has been done — always under pressure. Sometimes months have elapsed be- tween paragraphs of the same section and the result is no better than might be expected under such conditions. However, there is this to be said for the new edition: No process or method has been described that has not been tested out in actual experience. For many of the concrete facts and for much sane advice I am indebted to A. E. Bostwick, G. B. Utley, Mrs. Harriet Sawyer, Sarah C. N. Bogle, Alice Hazeltlne, Carrie E. Scott, Zana K. Miller, Helen Turvill, Ruth Wallace, Wm. J. Hamilton, Fannie Rawson, Alice S. Tyler, Margaret B. Carnegie, EfKe L. Power, M. S. Dudgeon, Clara Baldwin, Robert P. Bliss, Cornelia Marvin, James I. Wyer, Jr., and the staff of the Evansville Public Library. E. F. M. Public Library Evansville, Indiana March, 1922 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION NECESSITY FOR FREE LIBRARIES If it is the duty of the state to give each future citizen an opportunity to learn to read, it is equally its duty to give each citizen an opportunity to use that pov?er wisely for himself and the state. Wholesome literature can be furnished to all the readers in a community at a fraction of the cost necessary to teach them to read, and the povrer to read may then become a means to a life-long education. A library is an essential part of a broad system of education, and a community should think it as discreditable to be without a well-conducted free public library as to be without a good school. The books that a boy reads for pleasure do more to determine his ideals and shape his character than the text-books he studies in the schools. The simple lives of Washington, Lincoln, Joan of Arc and Florence Nightingale ; the stirring adventures of Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark have been known to stimulate many youthful readers to healthful emulation. On the other hand a pernicious book may leave a lasting impression of evil upon the character of the child. A good public library is the best pro- tection a town can offer against the thousands of unwholesome, vicious books, sold on too many news stands and passed from hand to hand by precocious children. Each town needs a library with its supply of well selected children's books to encourage the little folks learning to read in school, to rapid and con- tinued reading; it needs a library to help to establish a standard of taste for the boys and girls in the higher grades; to teach them the science and art of reading for a purpose; to give the boy and girl with a hidden talent the chance to discover and develop it; to give to the. mechanic and artisan an opportunity to study the methods of others and thus Increase their earning power; to give to men and women, weary and worn from treading a narrow round, excursions in fresh and delightful fields; to give to clubs 8 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION for study and amusement material for better work; to give wholesome em- ployment to all classes for idle hours. In other words a town needs a public library as a center for an intellec- tual and spiritual activity that shall leaven the whole community and make healthful and inspiring themes the burden of the 'common thought — sub- stituting, by natural methods, clean conversation and literature for petty gossip, scandal and vice. HOW TO AROUSE AND USE LOCAL INTEREST The necessity of a library should be urged through the local press, upon the platform and by private appeals. The preliminary canvass should in- clude all citizens, irrespective of creed, business or politics, whether edu- cated or illiterate. To ignore any class is to imply its indifference to edu- cation, and frequently to make its leaders hostile when they might be made enthusiastic friends. The support of the teachers should be enlisted and, through them, the support of the children and parents. Literary societies, women's clubs, churches and men's business organizations should be earnest champions of the movement. The local newspapers will be found to be a powerful agency in creating and sustaining interest in the project. When the interest of the public is aroused, a small meeting of influential workers should be called for the purpose of making a careful study of the state laws relating to libraries, and deciding upon some definite plan of action. The financial support of the library may be derived from various sources. "The funds at the disposal of the public library may be partly the proceeds of taxation, partly receipts in the course of administration, such as fines, partly interest on endowment funds and partly current gifts. The funds from taxation may be the proceeds of a special town or city tax levied for the support of the library in accordance with a state law, either manda- tory or permissive. They may result simply from a municipal appropria- tion in accordance with law, regulated sometimes by the circulation of the library, sometimes by the provisions of a contract. . . . They may be also, in part, a special grant from the state, such as ... in the State of New York. . . . These public funds, from whatever source, may be paid to the library in a lump sum, or in regular installments." (Bostwick. The Amer- ican public library, p. 23-24.) In Indiana there is a law which makes the library board an independent taxing unit, which in a measure simplifies financial difficulties. Where the levy is made by the common council complications may arise. Usually the members of such bodies are very willing to follow public sentiment in founding public enterprises, but, like all other human beings, they may be governed somewhat by their prejudices. Therefore they should be approached by persons whom they respect, who have tact and good judgment. An enthusiastic but tactless hobby-rider may undo months of careful work. In many towns where libraries have been started the citi- zens have raised a fund or bought a collection of books and offered them ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 9 to the public if the council would agree to found a permanent library. This is ordinarily the easiest way to secure one. BOARD OF DIRECTORS A library is usually governed by a board of trustees or directors (pref- erably both men and women) who outline the general policy, appoint the librarian and assistants, authorize expenditures, and sometimes select the books. It may consist of any number unless the size of the board is fixed by the state law under which the library is organized. "Much is to be said in favor of a small board, which is more easily convened, and is less un- wieldy than a larger body." (Bostwick. The American public library, p. 22.) There is a very general impression that directors of a library board should necessarily belong to some one of the learned professions whose members are presumed to be book lovers. The management of a public library, however, involves the exercise of many kinds of intelligence and ability besides those used in the judgment of books. Directors may quite as wisely be selected — a part of the number, at least — because of eminence in executive ability, in business sagacity, in unblemished integrity, in po- litical power, as for mere literary knowledge. The library, in fulfilling its highest functions, will constantly be thrown into relations with the com- munity which will bring each one of these, and other practical qualities into active use. In addition to qualifications along some of the lines men- tioned, the possession of that tolerant temper which allows a man or woman to work harmoniously and effectively as a member of a board, where indi- vidual opinions and desires must always be balanced and modified by the will and wisdom of the majority, is also a very necessary endowment for such a position. The bane of many boards is the groups of respectable citizens who are reappointed from term to term, and constantly neglect their duties. A member of a library board who cannot, or will not, attend its meetings and give adequate time to its work should resign, or should not be reappointed when his term expires. BY-LAWS SUGGESTED FOR BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF SMALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES By-Laws of the Board of Trustees of the Free Library of 1. Meetings — The regular meeting of the library board shall be held on the of each month at p. m. at the library. The annual meeting shall be on the Special meetings shall be called by the President or upon the written request of any trustees for the transaction only of business stated in ihe call. members of the board and members of any standing committee shall constitute a quorum. 2. Officers — The officers shall be President, Vice President and *Sec- *Many By-Laws provide that the librarian shall act as secretary. 10 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION retary, who shall be elected by ballot, annually, from their own members. In case of vacancy the board shall, at the next regular meeting, elect by ballot, a member to fill the unexpired term. No person shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive years. The President shall preside at board meetings, appoint committees, certify all bills allowed by the board, sign all warrants on the treasurer for the payment of money and perform such other duties as generally pertain to that office. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the latter's absence. The Secretary shall keep a record of attendance at board meetings, record the official actions of the board and have custody of its official books, records and accounts except those in current use by another officer; he shall also notify the proper appointing powers of vacancies on the board. 3. Committees — At the annual meeting the President shall appoint stand- ing committees as follows: a book committee to share with the librarian, the responsibility of selecting the books and to recommend their purchase to the board ; a finance committee which shall supervise all library finances, examine and report upon all bills against the board and, working in co- operation with the librarian, prepare an annual budget of expenditures; a building and grounds committee ; and a committee on such administrative questions as may not fall under the jurisdiction of the librarian or of other committees. 4. Expenditures — Salaries of the library staff and janitors shall be paid automatically the of each month upon proper authorization. Other claims against the board must be presented at a meeting of the board and be referred to the committee on finance for investigation and report. Unless otherwise ordered by the board, no indebtedness shall be incurred without the previous approval of the proper committee. No committee shall authorize an expense of more than in any one month without having secured the sanction of the board in advance. All bills for library purchases shall be itemized. The President and the Secretary shall draw orders upon the city (or village) Treasurer for the payment of bills which the board orders paid. All bills or duplicates of bills paid shall be receipted and filed in the library as permanent records, or in case the endorsed check is accepted as a sufficient receipt, the bill bearing the check number and date shall be filed. 5. Librarian — To the librarian shall be entrusted the administration of the library; she shall make recommendations for appointments, promotions or increases of salary in the staff, subject to the approval of the trustees; she shall have charge of the library and reading room and be responrfBle for the care of the books and other library property; classify and arrange all books and publications and keep the same cataloged; promptly report any delinquencies to the committee on administration; keep exact account of all moneys received from fines and other sources and report the amounts to the board at its regular monthly meetings; deposit all moneys received to the credit of the board. She shall attend the meetings of the board and shall submit in writing each month a report of the operations of the library,^ including such recommendations as in her opinion will promote its efficiency. _ She shall prepare in writing an annual report showing fully the opera- tions of the library. She shall submit to the book committee every month a list of books for purchase, shall place all orders for books and supplies ordered in the name of thejibrary, and discharge such other duties as may be prescribed by the board, provided that in the performance of such duties she shall not incur debt or liability of any kind without express authority from the board. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 11 6. Order of Business — The order of business of the regular meetings shall be as follows: 1. Reading of minutes 2. Report of librarian. 3. Report of Committees 4. Communications 5. Bills and accounts 6. Unfinished and new business Note — Before adopting any of the By-Laws suggested above the library laws of the state should be consulted so that there may be no conflict there- with. Local conditions may also make desirable many changes in detail. THE LIBRARIAN The usefulness of the library will depend upon its librarian and the greatest care should be exercised in selecting that officer. She should be engaged even before the general character of the library and plan of ad- ministration have been determined. She should have culture, executive ability, tact, sympathy for children and a knowledge of business methods. Technically educated librarians are the best, but if the income should be inadequate to meet the salaries demanded by graduates of library schools and a person without technical education or professional experience must be chosen, the appointment should be made on condition that the appointee take a course in a summer school of library science, that she observe the methods of other small libraries and that she read regularly such pro- fessional literature as the library can afi^ord to supply. She should become imbued with the "library spirit" and be keenly alive to the tremendous possibilities of her work. Few persons in a community have as great opportunities for service as the librarian. She may influence the reading, and so the thoughts, of hun- dreds of men, women and children. By education, culture and disposition she should naturally take her place as a leader, keeping always a bit ahead of the general average of the best thought in the community. Dignity, enthusiasm, flexibility, judgment and a dynamic personality are all very desirable qualifications in the librarian of the small library. A sense of humor and a sympathetic imagination will also prove to be happy lubricants when the machinery begins to creak. When a board of direc- tors can secure such a librarian, they may wisely afford to employ her, even if her salary eats up a large proportion of the income. A librarian should be, in fact as well as in theory, the responsible head of the library, and should be consulted in all matters relating to its management. Di- rectors should impose responsibility, grant freedom and exact results. The salary of the liblrarian in smaller towns should correspond to that of a high school teacher or principal, and in larger towns to that of the high school principal or school superintendent. The librarian should be granted at least three weeks' vacation each year, and if possible one month, and should have an occasional half-holiday in addition. She should not only be allowed the privilege of attending the meetings of the state association, but should be sent as a delegate with all expenses paid, and 12 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION the time should be allowed in addition to her vacation. The library should subscribe for the Library Journal and Public Libraries for the librarian and board. Such a policy will bring large returns, in better service and increased usefulness. Anything which is an inspiration to the librarian is returned to the library ten-fold. VOLUNTEER SERVICE At best volunteer service is apt to be most unsatisfactory, but where the funds will not permit the employment of a paid librarian the library must depend upon such service. Each volunteer should, if possible, serve at least a month at a time. She should turn her work over to her successor in good condition, taking pride in passing on her knowledge of the simpler technical processes so that the work may be uniform and permanent. LIBRARY ASSISTANTS The general qualifications of a library assistant are practically the same as those of the librarian. While the assistant may not have the same opportunities to exercise her executive ability, her duties require that she should have at least a high school education, and should be intelligent, loyal, enthusiastic, tactful and courteous. Above all, she should be willing to perform cheerfully any task which may be assigned her, and to work harmoniously with her associates for the good of the whole. The assistants should be appointed by the board, but should be recommended by the li- brarian, and the board which has a competent librarian should show their confidence in her by accepting recommendations without reference to out- side pressure. When the assistant is appointed, she should be responsible to the librarian only, and any' dealings with the board should be carried on through the librarian. Some libraries have a system of civil service examinations for applicants. This may be a protection to boards and librarians who are besieged by poorly qualified applicants with influential friends. But applicants cannot always be given positions solely on the results of their examinations, as personal qualifications are of so much importance, and often those who can pass the best examinations have no fitness for library work. In some libraries before a permanent appointment is made those who pass the examinations are required to serve on trial three or four months. It is 'essential that there should be a reserve force to draw upon in case of emergency or vacancy, and there should be an understudy for every po- sition. This is perhaps best accomplished by the apprentice system. THE APPRENTICE SYSTEM Libraries ofttimes lose opportunities for useful service because they have not a suflScient number of assistants and their librarians are burdened with petty details of work. A class of apprentices not only relieves the librarian of much routine work, but also furnishes a reserve force for emergencies, ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 13 to supply vacancies and to fill new positions. In justice to the library pro- fession, the standard should be made high. Apprentices should at least be graduates of high schools. Technically untrained librarians or those without years of experience should not undertake to conduct an apprentice class, as they cannot give adequate return for the work demanded from the apprentice. Something definite should be given in return for apprentice time. A simple course of study with regular daily hours for work and for instruc- tion should be planned. A set of rules should be made, including the time of probation and terms, the hours to be given in return for instruc- tion, the purchase of supplies for' practice work, and the amount of com- pensation if extra work is required. Apprentice work gives excellent preparation for library school or summer school. Besides gaining some knowledge of library methods, the apprentice has an opportunity to make trial of her fitness for library work. However, in training apprentices, the librarian should never lose sight of the fact that she is training for immediate practical service and that she cannot afford to give instruction beyond the point where the time invested will yield a corresponding return in such service. LIBRARY TRAINING The work of the librarian has come to be regarded as a distinct pro- fession, and special training for this field of educational work is quite as necessary as preliminary training for the public school teacher. The ideal librarian, however, should not only be equipped in technical details, but filled with the broader knowledge of men and books which leads to that personal enrichment called culture. There are in this country library schools that train young men and women of ability and education for library work. Besides these, the nec- essary conditions of library work in smaller libraries have led to the establishment of summer library schools and training classes for those who are unable to attend the library schools offering a nine or ten months' course. In these summer schools only simple methods and elementary work are possible, the aim being to give the students a conception of library work as a whole, and an acquaintance with modern methods within a short period of six or eight weeks. Such summer library schools are conducted by State Library Commissions and other state library agencies, and by a number of colleges and universities as well as by some of the regular library schools. Admission requirements are practical experience, a definite library position and a high school education or its e- 1 J ill 1 ji ill i^- - i T~~t :i; i ■a s s B a 34 i 3 " i - i 5 0~ ^- " ili| - 1 r- - '-'- r 1 - M i 1 _.. ■ n i ill it! ill si z - " n ■^ *■ " " 2 C 2 E I ^ - !: a •• " C a y i K s H » 5 2 J J 1 1 1 36 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION An itemized report should be made to the board at regular intervals, of all expenditures from the petty cash fund. A meeting of the library board should be held at least once a month that all bills may be audited and paid promptly. The librarian or sec- retary should notify the members of the board a few days in advance and should be present at board and committee meetings. The librarian should be prepared to give any information upon matters of administration, to make recommendations, and to submit a report on the work of the library during the month, including statistics of circulation, borrower's cards issued, books purchased and cataloged, and any special work uildertaken or ac- complished. The librarian may or may not act as secretary of the board, but records may properly be kept at the library for reference. The librarian should be the virtual business manager of the library. The librarian should compile the book lists, and after approval or re- vision by the book committee, should send in the orders and receive them when filled. The various committees should consider and decide upon plans for purchases, repairs or changes, and the librarian should see that they are executed. An occasional inventory is essential and should be taken during the months when the circulation is lightest and the largest number of books on the shelves. The library should never be closed for this purpose as the inventory may extend over an indefinite period if done systematically. One class of books should be inventoried at a time. The books on the shelves should be compared with the shelf list; all book numbers, ac- cession numbers and copy numbers being corrected when need be, to corre- spond exactly, the one with the other. Cards for missing books should not be removed but a note should be made of them and compared later with book cards in charging tray, with bindery files, and with mending shelves. Books not found immediately should not be reported lost, but may be looked for at intervals until the next inventory is taken. If not found at that time the shelf list cards may be withdrawn, thus forming the withdrawal record as described under Withdrawal Record, p. 62. Library property should be fully insured. For that reason an inventory of miscellaneous property is as necessary as an inventory of the books. Some principles of businesslike conduct in libraries, by A. E. Bostwick, contains information which should be assimilated by all library workers. ADVERTISING THE LIBRARY The best publicity agent the library can have is the satisfied patron who spreads the library gospel far and wide by word of mouth. Good service based on a wide knowledge of books and a sympathetic interest in people will usually bring a large reward in an amazing amount of unpaid ad- vertising. Next in importance to good service, as an advertising asset, is the per- sonality of the librarian. A dignified, dynamic, convincing personality acts as a tremendous factor in putting the public library in the forefront of community consciousness. The librarian may establish various points of ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 37 contact through public addresses, club memberships, committee work and other widely divergent forms of personal service to the community. Third in importance is the medium of print. Good newspaper publicity does not always mean that the librarian shall act as the library press agent. Newspapers are usually glad to assign the library to a reporter as a part of his regular beat. When such is the case it behooves the li- brarian never to be too busy to see the reporter and to turn over to him all items concerning the library which have a news value. However, it is always well to remember that there is a great difference between news value and propaganda and that most newspapers prefer the former to the latter. Library news items should be given to the newspapers while they are still news and should not be held back for the Sunday or some other reg- ular day sacred to the much exploited "library column." Such a "column" may indicate much industry on the part of the librarian but the average newspaper does not care to print information which may have been town talk for days. Then, too, from the standpoint of getting library news read it is better to have it scattered over the paper and through the week, lest the man who is not interested may do some judicious "skipping." He is the very person whom the library should strive hardest to inform concerning its activities, hence it should not be made easy for him to escape seeing an enlightening bit once in a while. If the librarian should desire to submit articles, signed or unsigned, for publication she should remember that newspaper English is quite different from college English and that the newspaper editor prefers plain Anglo-Saxon with plenty of pep and few adjectives to the high sounding words and involved sentences of the early eighteenth century. It is also well to remember that most newspapers prefer to do their own headlining, that typewritten copy, double spaced, properly punctuated, spelled and capitalized has a much better chance of being printed than carelessly pre- pared copy. In a town where more than one newspaper is issued it is well to let the editors of each know that the same copy is never submitted to more than one paper. This removes the suspicion from the mind of each that he is being asked to print "old stuff." Lists of new books with brief annotations published regularly, once each week or month (depending upon the supply), will bring to the library many who otherwise would not think of coming. The librarian should let the newspaper editor know that the space which he so generously gave upon a certain Sunday brought the mayor, the leading clergyman, the ex-bartender or the overworked mother into the library for a certain book. While he is learning this he is also realizing that library book lists have a very decided news value. An appeal may be made to current interest in some questions of the day or matter of local importance by printing short lists of books showing the resources of the library on these topics. Lists on the vocations, gardening, 38 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION good books for girls, electricity, boys' heroes, biographies of great men, birds, and other popular subjects may be compiled and printed in the local paper. Short reading lists of books on special subjects are useful in attracting new readers into the library. It is not enough that such lists be made available to those who come to the library; they should be mailed out to non-patrons, distributed at meetings and in other ways brought to the at- tention of people who have never made use of the library resources. Postal-card notices telling of the arrival at the library of new books on special subjects sent to persons known to be interested in those subjects, whether they are patrons of the library or not, bring excellent results. It should be remembered that one of the aims of publicity should be to create good will, whether it actually brings patrons to the library or not. Book marks with lists of books are an excellent method to stimulate in- terest in something besides the last new book. Announcement cards, suitably framed, may be placed in hotels, restaurants, stations, and stores, to show the location of the library and reading-room, hours of opening, and the fact that all are welcome to its privileges. Many good placards and posters can be purchased from the library supply houses and the American Library Association. When the library is cen- trally located and possessed of show windows on the ground floor, book and magazine posters, obtained from book dealers and publishers, may be used to advantage. Librarians may receive many helpful hints on publicity methods by a careful study of library periodicals and the Publishers' Weekly; also by reading some of the best books on commercial advertising, since the prob- lem repeats itself over and over in all lines of work. REPORTS AND STATISTICS While the average library cannot spend too much time on elaborate statistics certain ones are essential in order to know what the library is accomplishing, and how its growth and development compare with previous years and with other libraries. Not only as a matter of interest, but from a business standpoint it is important to know if the use of the library is increasing, if the character of the reading is changing and why; whether the book purchases are well proportioned, the investment in maintenance is yielding an adequate return, or the funds sufficient for the legitimate de- mands of a growing institution. All of these items may be gathered from very simple records, and will prove of value in securing appropriations, gifts and endowments, in planning a wiser expenditure of the various funds, and in developing a taste for better literature. Reports of other libraries will contain helpful hints, and should be care- fully studied. State library commissions furnish to the libraries of their respective states, an annual report form, which the laws of the state may require to be filled out by libraries supported by public taxation, and sent, one to the common council or governing body of the village or city, one to the state library commission, and one to be kept on file at the library. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 39 Where the state does not issue a standard form of report it is recom- mended that the A. L. A. statistical report form be used. This may be obtained on request from the American Library Association. A decision should be made at the beginning of the year as to what sta- tistics are essential. The records should be accurately kept, and form the basis for monthly and annual reports. The circulation statistics should be recorded by classes at the end of each day. For those using the Decimal classification, the blank form printed by the Democrat Printing Co. or the Library Bureau will be found convenient. Monthly and annual reports should also contain accurate records of accessions by classes, registration statistics and an approximate count of visitors to the reading and reference rooms. The binding statistics may be taken from the bills as they are paid, or from the bindery record, and the withdrawals from the withdrawal record. These statistics should be kept up to date and should be complete each month. If this is done, the annual report will be comparatively easy to prepare. • The annual report may be submitted by the board to the municipal and state authorities and to the general public at the end of the fiscal year. It may consist of the president's report of the general condition of the li- brary, special improvements made during the year, and special needs of the future ; the secretary's report of finances, and the librarian's report in detail, made to the board. The librarian's report should be something more than a collection of statistical tables ; it should be an interesting history of the library for the period covered. Attention may be called to the total number of books added and any special aim in book-buying; to the total circulation and any remarkable growth in special classes, or methods used to influence the character of the reading; to the increase in registration and any efforts put forth to attract readers. Gifts, school work, apprentice work, children's work, reference work, or any work along the lines of organization or ex- tension that have received special attention, should be of interest. The report as a whole should embody the aims and ideals of the li- brarian and her trustees, should record what has been accomplished in the past, and what is being planned for the future. If properly compiled the report may be printed as a pamphlet and used as publicity material. Should this be considered too great an expense it should be printed in full in the local newspapers. ORDER ROUTINE Perhaps the most convenient way for making up a book order is to have each title on a separate slip or order card. These should be standard size (7.5 X 12.5 cm. or 3 x 5 in.) On the order slip may be written, printed or pasted the necessary items. Mounted entries clipped from The Booklist and other printed sources may be combined with either one or both of the other two forms. 40 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION If a printed card is used the following is » simple and useful form which may be purchased from a library supply house: Clait Ns. Author (S«fn»m«fi«.lj WRITC tCOIBLV NOT RUSH AccMslon N». T.tf Ofdoed Ol R*C«Ir«l Edillon «» Seriti Pi.M PHbli»hef C^Ml Dale Veil. Uil p'lee E>I.C«t ChufMl le Recommended b/ DaU o' bill Addrcti L C. No. Rc«(e*.ed in /^ "\ C'Oi* o«l NOT In NOT BUSH ^ ilifi (PKialhiito. • Order card. Size: 3" x 5 " The simplest order slips should contain: author's name; title of book; publisher; number of volumes; edition; copy-right date; list price; date ordered; source; invoice date; cost. Time may be saved by filling in with rubber stamps the date ordered, invoice date and agent's name in case most of the orders are placed with the same firms. Separate adult and juvenile order cards and arrange each alphabetically by authors. Compare with catalog and outstanding orders to avoid dupli- cates ; if an intentional duplicate, enter call number. Write order sheet for agent from slips and keep a duplicate in the library. If written by hand, a pen carbon letter book is convenient and inexpensive. When books are received check books with bill to see that both are correct. Pull order slips from outstanding order files and compare list prices with bill; figure dis- counts, and enter net prices on order cards. Working from cards, compare editions and publishers ordered with title pages of books ; and stamp date, source and pencil cost on first recto follow- ing title page. Avoid disfiguring title pages with entries of any kind. Stamp invoice date on order card. Verify bill footings and sign bill with name and official title. The shorts which remain in outstanding order files should be gone over occasionally lest through carelessness of the agent the receipt of important items be too long delayed. Some libraries use order cards for a shelf-list record ; others for an ac- cession record. "In any case the permanent file left after the receipt of the book should constitute a complete dated history of the order, enabling the librarian to ascertain at once, in case of need, who recommended a given book; who read it on approval, if it was so read; when its purchase was authorized, when it was ordered, when received, and so on. These data ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 41 are as important to a small library as to a large one, and orders should be recorded methodically in this way, even if the librarian herself per- forms all the different operations indicated." (Bostwick. Tlie American public library, p. 140-41.) The same order slip may be used again and again for as many different purposes as the amount of information included may warrant. Decisions concerning replacements, duplication, etc. may be quickly made upon consulting this file. If made from clipped Booklist entries the order cards become a valuable tool in cataloging, reference, publicity and circulation problems. It is always good business to place book orders with a local dealer pro- vided he will give as good service for as little money as may be obtained elsewhere. However, the library is charged with the obligation of getting as much for its expenditure of money as it can in a legitimate way and the local dealer even though a tax payer has no right to profit at the ex- pense of the whole city. MECHANICAL PREPARATION OF BOOKS After books are checked with the bill they should be examined for im- perfections, carefully opened, cut, and stamped with some mark of owner- ship. To open a book; hold the book with its back on a smooth or covered table; let the front board down, then the other, holding the leaves in one hand while opening a few leaves at the back, then a few at the front, and so on, alternately opening front and back, gently pressing open the sections until the center of the volume is reached. This should be re- peated two or three times. Opening the volume violently or carelessly in any one place is likely to break the back. For uncut leaves use a flat bone or ivory cutter. Be careful to cut to corners but not into sections. A sharp knife or other instrument is likely to mutilate the margins and otherwise damage the book. Books with misplaced or missing pages should be returned to the publisher, shopworn or damaged books to the agent. The mark of ownership may be a perforating, embossing, or rubber ink stamp. The perforating stamp is the best but most expensive ; a rubber stamp is easily erased and unsightly ; the embossing stamp is satisfactory, and not expensive. The stamp should contain the official name of library, place and state. Plain, business-like type, hot too large, should be used, and ornamentation, curves, and sharp edges avoided, especially in the embossing stamp. Stamp the title page and one other selected for that purpose ; also important plates and illutsrations. If an embossing stamp is used, stamp at varying distances from the top of page to avoid too great thickness in any one place. Always stamp straight across the page. If a bookplate is used, place on inside of front cover in the center. A bookplate should always be used for gifts, containing the name of the library, and the words "Given by." 42 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION The book pocket should be carefully folded over a book card and creased with a bone folder. Paste on the edges only, and place on the inside of back cover in the center, or a little below, so that the book card will not project beyond the book. Book cards may now be written, and should contain call number on the top line, followed by surname of author, brief title, and accession number or copy number. Various methods of labeling books are in use in different libraries. One of the more recent practices is to paint a black band of shellac and lamp black the size of Dennison's A44 label a uniform distance from the bottom of the book, taking care not to cover important print. When dry this may be marked with white ink using special pen Judges Quill 312 or Tele- graphic pen no. 1876. The more general practice is to select a plain white gummed label, Dennison's A44 (round) to be placed an inch and a half from the bottom of the book. To secure the best results cut from celluloid or photograph film a square with a diameter equal to two inches, plus the diameter of the label. Cut a hole exactly in the center the size and shape of the label, and the marker will be accurate no matter which edge is placed at the bottom of the book. Place the marker in position, and with a camel's hair brush dipped in strong ammonia, remove the sizing from the spot where the label is to be placed. The marker will also prevent the ammonia from discoloring the binding beyond the label. Allow it to dry, dip the label in warm water, press in place on the book, and rub firmly until every part has adhered. Mark the call number on the label in plain figures with India ink; allow the ink to dry thoroughly; varnish the label with white shellac. When soiled the varnished label may be washed. To remove old labels, cut pieces of blotting paper the exact size of the labels, soak in water and press firmly upon the old labels; remove in ten minutes and the label will come off with the blotter. Never scrape the label with a knife as it is likely to injure the binding. If the labels have been varnished, an application of ammonia will remove the varnish. Care must be taken not to discolor the binding beyond the place to be covered. Books with light or white covers may be shellaced the same as labels, and washed when soiled. Shellac also preserves cloth covers and keeps them from becoming worn and frayed. This is a point worth considering es- pecially for children's books. ACCESSIONING The accession record is a chronological list of the books added to the library, and should be absolutely accurate. It is the record upon which is based the insurance, from it is found the number of volumes in the li- brary, and if properly kept it is a complete history of each book from entry to withdrawal. Diflferent methods of keeping this record are in use. The common method, and the one recommended to the inexperienced librarian, records volumes ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 43 singly and gives to each an individual accession number. For this pur- pose loose leaf accession sheets, which provide for all necessary informa- tion, may be obtained from the Library Bureau. These sheets are so ar- ranged as to enable the record to be made on the typewriter. The lines are numbered consecutively and each volume requires a line; when the entry is made, the number of the line, called the accession number, is entered in the book above the date of receipt on the first recto following the title page, on selected page, on book card and book pocket. Great care must be taken to enter each book and give it an accession number before it is allowed to be taken from the library. When a book is rebound or withdrawn a note may be made in the re- marks column of the accession book to make the history of the book complete. The accession book should be a strohgly bound book ruled and printed as follows: ACCESSION SHILT Date HO. AO-TMOB. TITLt VOL. PUAWISHU fEM SOORCt COST RtMHRrtS r> 1 (J 7 3 4 5 & 7 e 9 1 o 1 I M 13 1 + 15 i& 17 16 19 to 21 21 O t-y x* is Umr, Bortau C«l.-».160l _ Loose Leaf Accession Sheet, 25 lines to the page. Size: 9%" x 9%". Another method records accessions by bills instead of by volumes. Its chief claims to consideration are greater accuracy and speed. Bills of each dealer are numbered consecutively for the calendar year. The accession number consists of the initial or name of the dealer fol- 1 b: I i IF ! •3 £ 1 — 1 < a 3 < s a ■1 ■a 1 o 1 J E L TDV ^ A "7^ •g!' o 1 < j > I (0 ■ T " Z ■ ■s. K Ci. 1 1 li [33 i 0* ' ' J* o i £ ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 45 lowed by the bill number and the last two figures of the current year. The third bill from McClurg in 1904, will read, M304 or McClurg 304. This number is entered in the upper right corner of the bill, in the usual places in the book, in the accession book, on the shelf card, and on the order card, and takes the place of the usual accession number. If initials of dealers conflict, two letters may be used, or the full names. For gifts a memorandum may be made in the form of a bill, containing name of donor, brief author and title of book, and value if known. This is entered as above. Books added by binding are accessioned from the binding bill. Un- bound periodicals purchased are accessioned from the original bills, and the cost of binding added in cost column. With this method the name of publisher and place should be included in imprint on shelf card. All bills should be filed first alphabetically and second numerically, and should be carefully kept for reference, and insurance purposes. A simpler method than either of the above is that which has been fol- lowed successfully in the Evansville library since its organization in 1912, but should only be undertaken where the work is not to change hands frequently. Each volume is entered on a printed form shelf card which may have been used as an order card. Autlior's lull name Recommended by Remarks In Pitl. Pratt. A. L. A. Cal..l904.V ) 1904—1 1. Booklist Order card. Size: 3" -^ 5". No accession number is assigned but different copies of the same title are distinguished by copy numbers. As each bill is completed it is entered in the Summary of Additions and Withdrawals as in the second method outlined above. The shelf cards are balanced with the number of books on the bill, thrown into classified order and entered by class in the Classified Summary of Additions and t 1 s 1 1 III lil ^f 1 ib III i.1 «>-»„ ?r ^ -U^ '-^n III II 86 ^^ III Paffe size 7^x9^ in., 25 lines. Library Bureau ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 59 DO NOT WRITE ASOVE THIS LINE NO DATE EXPIRES_ I hereby express my intention to use our Public Library and promise to obey all its rules, to take good care of all books drawn by me, to pay promptly all fines or damages charged to me, and to give prompt notice of change in my address. Sign full Name- Residence Occupation- Reference — Address Business address- Age Parent's If under 14 years Signature- Application Card. Size: 3" x 5" Library Bureau , No Is entitled to draw books trom th« Evansville Public Library and l8 responsible for all books taken on this card, which was Issued — - LoiDcd Relaraid LoiDid RiturDcd No. Loiaed Rcluroed Loinid Rclorned 1 Borrower's card. Size: 3" x 5". Borrower's card — reverse. 60 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION F69r oop.l 1078 PUBLIC LIBRARY EtuutUI*, Indiana BULBS, Ubiarj hourt 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. : 8und»n wd holU»i itoa. r Injured nhllB Id thrir A flue of-one cent • dw !■ Impowd U k book U kept ow- lloM. Whm»bookUlhr«weekioTMdQe.miiiOM«a«ti» ■eot roi II who IiM Kqtborlt7 to oolleet Don ond o In ol ThB boiT«wor'« llbr«T m«^ thonW b« kept In thla pottket B C. NMben-ood PW. Co . Madlioii. WU. This book may be kept SEVEN DAYS from last date given below. A fine of one cent will be charged for each day the book is kept over time. Book card and pocket. Size: (card) Dating slip for 7 day books. Size: 2" X 5"; (pocket, folded) Sl/z" x 4" x 6". (Plain slip without prlnt- 4J<^". ing may be used for 14 day books.) Evansville, Ind. .1922 We would remind you that the book- taken on your card- -1922 and due- -1922 has not been returned to the library. A fine of one cent a day is imposed when a book is kept overtime. EVANSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Per Overdue postal card. ; - ^ =; t J 1 S I f = ^ 1 1 iC K ■^ '- f s f ? ; f = 2 ' : '; ■ S 5 Is !': Si! 1^ ! - ^ 1 ' ^ , i - i; ?i i It! |i 1; 1 III 5H if ! 1 1 ^ 1 £ i ^ 1 Hi ill! 1 I 1 ; % 1/ \ 2 i ; i - : J c c ; a " o •i 2 1/ ^ 7 - - ! : ( c a o ' ~ " "■ III fp 11 > 3 1 9 1 ^ i; f i it- II 1 1 5 ! n c 1. r| E i 1 K - a ^ = 1 ^ 'i 1 1 1 ^ ::5^ 62 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION WITHDRAWAL RECORD An accurate record should be kept of all bo'oks lost, worn out or with- drawn for any reason. The following is a simple method which may be used. When for any reason a book is to be withdrawn stamp with a rubber stamp, "Withdrawn," on the title page, the "book card and the book pocket. In case the book has been lost or stolen this, of course, cannot be done. Withdraw all catalog cards from the catalog. Enter in the remarks column of the accessipn book, the cause and date of withdrawal. Pull the shelf card from the shelf list and stamp it "Withdrawn" and the date of withdrawal. If the library has more than one copy of the book make a duplicate shelf card for the withdrawal index and stamp both cards as above. File the original card back in the shelf list and use the duplicate card for the withdrawal record. For this record, file shelf cards by class so that at the end of the year the withdrawals in each class may be counted and subtracted by class from the total number of books in the library. When the result has been incorporated in the annual report the shelf cards may be filed alpha- betically as a permanent withdrawal record. If a Summary of Additions and Withdrawals record is used with the accession method adopted, withdrawals may be entered on this sheet and the shelf cards filed alphabetically at once. As soon as books are withdrawn make order slips for those that are to be replaced so that they may be included in the next order. The withdrawal record supplements the accession book. From these two records a statement may be made at any time of the number of books received by purchase, gift, or exchange ; the number of books worn out, lost, sold or condemned ; and the total number of books in each class in the library at a given time. BINDING One of the greatest items of economy or extravagance in a library may be the rebinding and mending of worn books. The whole question is one of experience and judgment and the decision as to when to bind, when to mend and when to do neither should rest with one person, if possible. The first problem that confronts a library about to bind or rebind is the choice of a binder. While it is desirable to get the best binding for the purpose, at the least possible cost, it is agreed by all who have ex- perience in the matter that there is no economy in cheap binding. The library cannot afford to experiment; good work costs least in the end. Local binderies should not receive the work unless able to do it as satis- factorily as it may be done elsewhere. For addresses of good binderies write to the library commission or to an experienced librarian for advice. Periodicals should be arranged by volume, not by year, because ref- erences are made to volume and page, and if the book is not so arranged ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 63 it is practically worthless. The title page and index should be placed with each volume, the title page in front, the index at the back unless paged to go elsewhere. Librarians should send to the publishers for title pages and indexes for all magazines lacking them. If they cannot be secured the binder must be directed to leave stubs that the pages may be tipped in when found. In contracting with the binder, he should be required to quote terms for periodicals, of the ordinary size like the Century, and for the larger size like Scientific American and Survey; also for rebinding, by size, of books not over 7J4 inches in height, and books not over 954 inches, of aver- age and of extraordinary thickness. Specification should also be made as to the style of binding, the sewing, lettering, and other details essential to good work. Periodicals and books of permanent value should be bound in the best materials the library can afford. The most important binding material is that covering the back and corners because these parts suffer the most wear. Morocco is the most durable and beautiful of the leathers used for this purpose, but is too expensive for any but the most opulent libraries. Even the cheaper leathers, guaranteed to last for a long term of years, are now almost unobtainable. Hence, a good quality of library buckram has been pretty generally adopted and has proven to be fairly satisfactory. The first essential of good binding is strength. The part of the book which bears the most strain is the joining line of the book with its cover, consequently every device which strengthens the fastenings at this line should be used. Loose backs are recommended. In finishing, all tooling and ornamentation should be avoided. The lettering should be in plain Roman capitals and Arabic numerals, large enough to be easily read. It is a great convenience to have the lettering placed in the same relative position, on all books, because it aids the eye in locating the book on the shelves. The following order is recommended: surname of author in top panel; brief title in second; volume number in fourth, without prefixing v., or vol. On magazines the months covered and the year should be placed above the volume number. At the bottom of books and magazines should be the name of the library in small letters. It is well to specify the time for binding. Enough time (for ordinary books six weeks is considered ample) should be allowed that the books may not be turned out green. If sufficient time is not allowed for the books to be thoroughly pressfed and dried after they are finished the covers will warp, and the books will spread and sag after standing on the shelves a short time. If the binder is hurried too much he will be tempted to neglect this part of the process. On the other hand, if given his own time he may be inclined to tie up library stock for months. Objection is sometimes raised to the rebinding of old books. Why not let the books wear out and replace them with new? The answer to this may be that the difference between the cost of rebinding and the cost of replacing the worn copy may be so large as to make it desirable to rebind. Moreover the rebinding may not only result in an economy of money, but 64 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION the book probably will wear two or three times as long as it did in the publisher's covers. What to rebind is worthy of consideration. Books of merely temporary interest, or books undeserving a place in a good library, should not be rebound, nor replaced when worn out. Recent books in need of rebinding should be sent and returned promptly while patrons are anxious to read them. If a book has been defaced by stain, ink or soil that cannot be removed, it is not worth rebinding. Neither is it worth rebinding if too many missing pages must be replaced by typewritten pages. In the case of expensive or out of print books this may be done from dupli- cates in the library or borrowed copies. The following routine is suggested for the preparation of miscellaneous books for the bindery. Mend torn pages, type missing pages, clean dirty pages. Oass No. 1 DIRECTIONS FOR BINDER 1 Tillr RinH^r-i N:.m^ 1 OrNDING C"' B<'m_ Bind lo Sample r.,r„r COLOR LUh< Dro-i. Dork Drowa Slack Dark DIu* Red L.W Sh»p Maroon D-rh Green Olive Lighf Blue LiBhiCfe.n Vellow D(*b SIZE \S INCHES 6' 7' 8' V UY 12' W 16- Follow ULfclIr •rT»n8»mrol or Imn. punctuition, leii-rir>R. jt on h»ek of Ihii ili|> jnd ti^urn ih» (lip in (lie bound volume. •—'"-- ■■*■ eiNDlMG SL'P LETtfOiNO fOR eiC Aulhor's Su'"*'"*- STYLE Undefscce propc- word be- low COLOR T.tie Light bfown D«rh b'owB Blach Darh blue Red jTideperrdeTit Mai^on bark green BACK A CORNERS Morocco M a Cloth Art vellum Fatarikaid Buckram SIDES P«p.r Cloth Keratol Seriea Dates /4rar- JuTid ' I903 Velum* Class Ncl, 55 wfttCTiOKa Piao* eoonBU P.rf ^ Name of Library Bteli unl«a pagKl mLialno pagci. L»m»-n't Tubl.'cLi'bririj Binding slips. Size: 3" x S". Library Bureau Blue paper slips printed on both sides. On the other side, panels of the book are ruled off. A simplified form of binding slip printed on one side, white bond stock, with space at the right for in- dicating exact lettering desired on book panels, and at the left for other instructions and details. Collate parts of books that have loose pages and place illustrations, maps, etc., in their proper order. Write and paste bindery slips by the top, left corner near the top of the page following the title page. Make temporary book cards for such books as do not have book cards and pockets so that they may stand as a binding record. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 65 Remove book pockets and cards as books are packed for shipment, count- ing books and book cards, being sure that they balance. Stamp the book cards with the date of shipment and the word "Bindery" and file alphabetically under date. It is better to send books to the bindery in small groups each month than to hold them out of circulation for a longer time waiting for a large shipment. Write letter to bindery giving date of shipment and any general or specific directions necessary. Inclose a list of the books sent. File a dupli- cate of letter and list at the library. When the books are returned from the bindery, check the shipment with the duplicate list and the bill. The book cards and pockets serve as a double check as they are replaced in the books. On the lower left corner of the back cover of each book stamp the date of its return and the name of the binder. This is for the purpose of test- ing the durability of the binder's work. Verify lettering and numbers on the back and if everything is correct and according to contract, O. K. the bill. Otherwise hold unpaid bill until mistakes are rectified. Books which after a few circulations break out of the publisher's covers without the stitching being broken, may sometimes be recased by com- mercial book binders or by specialists who go from library to library doing such work at a cost of about 25 cents per volume. When done in the local library it is usually necessary to keep the books out of circulation only about 48 hours which is a great advantage when new and popular titles are concerned. Such work can be done by the local staff but in many libraries this has proven to be short-sighted economy. MENDING Nothing betrays the standards of librarian and trustees so quickly as the condition of the books on the shelves. Dirty, shabby volumes with loose signatures, missing pages, and torn backs, betray not a lack of funds so much as a lack of the good housekeeping instinct. It is therefore important that the books which need mending should be promptly and carefully repaired. Every book, when returned, should be looked over for loose leaves, tears, or marks, and nothing should be placed on circulation shelves that needs attention. It is frequently possible to supply lost pages in fiction or children's books from withdrawn copies which have been saved for that purpose. For ex- pensive books it may be expedient to type the missing pages and tip them into the book as for binding. However, there is a point beyond which mending may become an ex- travagance or a menace ; an extravagance when the expenditure of time necessary to repair the book exceeds in cost the amount of money necessary to secure a new copy; a menace when the book becomes so dirty it acts as a bearer of germs. In either case it should be discarded without question. The following on mending processes and mending table supplies is taken 66 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION from the fourth edition of Mending and repair of books, by Brown, re- vised by Stiles. WAYS TO MEND Paper used for mending should be cut lengthwise with the grain of the paper. Cloth should be cut the long way of the material. Pages torn through the printing may be mended as follows: Use un- gummed, transparent mending paper, cutting it the size and shape of the tear, and about one-half inch wide. Apply a thin coat of paste to the strip and fit it carefully over the tear, having first placed a strip of waste paper under the torn leaf to absorb extra paste. . . . When torn in the margin use thin, firm mending paper, preferably a tint to match paper of the book. Cut a strip one-half inch wide correspond- ing to the size and shape of the tear, apply paste and trim even with the edge of the leaf. When these processes are used, place books in press or under a weight, until thoroughly dry. There are gummed papers for this purpose but care should be taken in their selection as some are likely to darken and discolor. When loose leaves are replaced the greatest care should be taken to make sure that they do not extend beyond the edge of the book. If this occurs, it shows careless or inexperienced mending. If the leaf fits exactly into the book, it may be tipped in by applying paste to one-eighth inch of its inner margin. Place the loose leaf in the book, the outer edge even with the book, and rub down the pasted inner margin against the next leaf with bone folder. Put the book in press until dry. . . . Do not use gummed muslin for this work. It destroys the chance of proper rebinding and detracts, from the appearance of the rebound book. When more than one section, sometimes called signature, is loose in a book which is worth rebinding, it should be rebound at once. When the thread in one section only is broken, or one section only is loose in a rebound book and the rest of the binding is intact, the section should be inserted. To avoid further ravelling, it is necessary to secure the broken threads of the book either by fastening them together, or at- taching to new threads ; also that the loose section is sewed or tied through the super on the back of the book. Loose sections may be inserted as follows: If the folds of the leaves in the loose section are torn or thin, they should be mended before replacing the section. Take a half-inch strip of thin, firm paper, the length of the page; fold through the middle lengthwise and paste down through the center fold of the leaves. A touch of paste along the fold of each will hold all the sheets together. Open the book at the place where the section ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 67 is loose. (When the book is open the back of the book separates from the cover.) Open the loose section and place it in the proper position in the book. Near the top and bottom in the center fold of the section will be seen the holes which were made by the binder. Thread a needle with Barbour's linen thread No. 40, or Hayes' linen thread No. 25, and tie new thread to broken end of thread in book. Pass the needle through the hole at the top of the loose section and out between the book and its loose back. Do not pull the thread clear through. Drop the needle and thread down between the back of the book and the loose back to the bottom. Run the needle and thread from the outside in through the hole at the bottom of the loose section. Pass the needle and thread around again in the same way. Draw tight and tie with a hard knot at the point of beginning. Books in the ordinary case or publishers' binding will, after a short period of use, show signs of weakness in the joints (where the book and cover are attached). The paper cracks and both it and the super on the back of the book loosen and unless immediate attention is given the stitch- ing breaks and the book must go to the bindery. This super is a loosely woven cotton cloth which is glued on the backs of books to help hold the sections together, and extends from the back of the book to the inside of the cover to help hold the book and cover to- gether. In the publishers' bindings, this super is usually all that holds a book in the cover. Loose joints may be reinforced by tightening and stripping. Hold the book open in an upright position on the table. The back will separate in a curve from body of book; with the round brush apply paste between the loose back and the book, along the joints only. If too much paste is used it will spread over the back, causing the cloth cover to become wrinkled and title illegible. Close the book, care being taken to push book well back in cover, and with bone folder rub well along the joints, squeez- ing out any extra paste at head and foot. Dry under weight for a half- day at least. Then with knife clean off the ragged edges of torn paper along the joint inside the cover. Place the book flat upon the table, the front cover open, take book of similar thickness and place under open cover. Take a strip of muslin or paper. Cut this strip the exact length of the book, and apply thick paste so that the paper or cloth will not stretch. Paste one-half of this strip to the fly-leaf and the other half of the strip on the cover of the book. Make sure that the strip is smoothly laid, not stretched too tightly from book to cover, or it will pull up first pages when book is used ; if too loosely stretched it is unsightly and fails of its purpose; allow the book to remain open until the strip is dry. Re- peat this process for the back cover. Pressing adds greatly to the appearance of the mended or repaired books. Do not place weights over the rounded back of a book. Place the pressing boards or tins over the covers of the book only, even with, but not extending over, the joints. Pressure on the rounded back will weaken a book in the most vital part. 68 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION MENDING TABLE SUPPLIES Paste. Cloth. White outing flannel, cheese cloth and cheap grade of canton flannel. Art Vellum in assorted colors, cut in strips. Muslin cut in strips. Paper. Onion skin bond, cockle finish, 9 lb. weight cut into strips for use; tissue paper. Brushes. Flat, rubber-set photographer's brush, about 1 inch wide; also artist's round bristle yi inch thick. Scissors. Slender, six-inch blade, good quality. Knife. Shoemaker's long blade, square at end, or common pairing knife purchased at hardware store. Folder. Bone, purchased at stationer's. Needles. Sharps, No. 1, or any strong and not too coarse darning needle. Thread. Hayes' linen. No. 25 ; Barbour's linen, No. 40. Pressing tins. 6x8 in., obtained at tin shop. Zinc is pleasanter to use and will not rust. Cleansers. Wash for pages ; wash for book covers ; powdered pumice stone; art gum, sponge, rubber. Shellac. Consult local druggist or paint dealer regarding the best white shellac. Press. An old letter-press can usually be purchased locally for a small sum. Prices on new copying press 10 x 12 in. obtained of local stationer. If press is not secured^ old pieces of marble can be used. Bricks covered with paper make good pressing weights. A local bindery or any binder's supply house will furnish mending ma- terials; also price list and samples of materials may be obtained from Democrat Printing Co. and Gaylord Bros. LIBRARY PASTE The following recipe is for a library paste, easily made and very satis- factory : One tablespoonful of alum, One quart of water. One-half pint of flour. Mix the flour with a small quantity of water, and stir into a cream. Cook for 20 minutes. Dissolve the alum in the water and bring to a boil; stir in the cream three minutes before it is through cooking. Stir while cooking, strain, and add 20 drops of oil of cloves or wintergreen. DISINFECTION OF BOOKS Although statistics prove that few cases of contagious diseases have been ■ traced directly to infection from library books, it is still wise to exercise great care and to let the public know that this is done. If there were serious danger from contagion library assistants would be the first to suffer, whereas a case of a library assistant contracting disease in this manner is practically unknown. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 69 Arrangements should be made with the health officer to have every case of contagious disease reported promptly to the librarian. The library rec- ords should be examined at once to see if anyone residing in the quaran- tined house holds a library card, and if there is a book charged to it. Notice must then be sent to the owner of the card stating what disposal is to be made of the book. All cards belonging to quarantined members of the family should be withheld until the librarian is notified by the health officer that the quarantine is lifted. Many libraries burn all books exposed to diphtheria, scarlet fever and smallpox. This should be done by the proper official or it may be neg- lected. Fines should be stopped on books in quarantine, and if necessary to destroy them the library usually bears the expense. In cases where the books are to be returned to the library shelves they should be fumigated in the library although the Board of Health is sup- posed to have done it. This may be done in various ways. Vapor of commercial formalin in a closed space is an eflfective dis- infectant. One cubic centimeter of formalin to 300 cubic centimeters of air is the formula, and will thoroughly disinfect in fifteen minutes. A longer exposure will not answer for a greater quantity of air per cubic centimeter. As a rule few books need disinfecting at the same time. A small box 2x2x2 feet inside measure, zinc lined, will require about j4 of an ounce of formalin. The box should be fitted with one or two shelves made of slats from one to two inches apart. The first shelf must be high enough from the bottom to accommodate the formaldehyde generator, which is four inches high. The second shelf should be movable. The books should be spread open on the front edges of the covers, facing downward. The box must be air tight to be effective. BOARD OF HEALTH Evansville, Ind. Namt Address Quarantined for Are there books belonging to the Public Library at the above address ? Health Officer Self-addressed postal card furnished by the Library Board and mailed to the library each day from the Board of Health office. 70 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION FURNITURE AND FIXTURES In the small library furniture should be planned on good, plain and en- during lines. The entire equipment should be arranged for the pleasure and comfort of patrons and for the convenience and efficiency of the staff. Books should be placed on shelves around the room, the floor space being kept clear of book stacks as long as possible. Floors. Floors should be as noiseless as possible. Mattings and carpets collect dust and are very unsanitary. Hardwood floors are good but noisy and hard to keep in condition. Tiling and marble are both noisy and ex- pensive and should never be selected except for the most costly buildings. The best floor covering is cork carpet or battleship linoleum, although ex- pensive. Linoleum may be placed directly on cement which is the proper way to do it in fireproof buildings since wood laid between sometimes rots. Where a building is being erected there are various kinds of patent flooring which may be substituted for cement and which do not require a covering. Some of these give fairly good results. Walls. Decorations should be in soft colors. The buffs, greens and terra cottas are the most pleasing. Spaces back of the wall shelving should be painted to harmonize with the finish of the cases. Pillars and all exposed wall surface between cases should have a hard finish, so that the paint can be washed or they should be boxed in with wood panels when constructed of iron. The wood panels should correspond with the wood-work of the building. Projections from the bases of pillars or cases should be avoided, as they quickly become rubbed or marred and collect dust. Picture mouldings should be provided in all rooms where there is wall space ; if ceilings are low, cornice mouldings are best. Baseboards, chair rails and wainscoting should be avoided. Lighting. A good lighting system has more to do with the success or failure of a public library than is generally supposed. Efficiency, attractive- ness and economy should determine the plan adopted. A well lighted entrance may win many patrons who might never have thought of the li- brary as a possible place of enjoyment. Tables flooded with light may turn the casual visitor into an enthusiastic patron by offering him an irre- sistible temptation to run over the latest books or magazines. Shelves which may be read with ease from the top to the very lowest one are much more likely to offer something worth while to the whimsical borrower than those poorly lighted. A well lighted delivery desk makes a large con- tribution both to attractiveness and efficiency of service. Tungsten lights suspended from the ceiling are effective for general lighting and economical in consumption of current. With prismatic re- flectors the light may be directed where most needed with the least possible loss. Indirect and semi-indirect lighting are gaining in popularity for libraries since by this method the light is distributed equally over the whole area. "Indirect illumination by reflection from the ceiling, the lamps themselves being invisible, is very attractive. It requires low, smooth, dead-white ceilings if the light is to be used for reading, and bright sources, such as ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 71 tungstens, must be used. In the so-called semi-indirect system the suspended bowls usually employed to hold the light-sources are made of translucent material so that part of the light passes through. These are now usually fitted with white reflectors, which throw much of the light downward with- out its reaching the ceiling. Reflection from the walls ... is an important feature in any system of lighting. A library with dark walls and furni- ture will require a larger number of light sources of greater initial in- tetisity for general illumination than one where the walls and fixtures are light in color." (Bostwick. The American public library, p. 301-2) In book rooms not open to the public it may be economically necessary to use an electric light bulb fastened to a long wire which may be carried about and hung where needed. Table lights should be avoided because of expense and the difficulty of keeping them in order. In the children's room they offer an alluring source of temptation to curious little boys besides anchoring the tables to the floor so that in most cases they may not be moved about without the aid of an electrician. Fixtures should be without ornamentations which only serve as dust catchers. Switches should be carefully planned so as to save electricity and should center near the loan desk. Those for the entrance should be placed di- rectly at the entrance, hidden if possible. Shelving: Wall cases. Wall spaces in the reading rooms and book room should be shelved first. Until these are filled floor cases will be unnecessary. Cases should be made standard height and as nearly as possible a standard length should be adopted for shelves. This facilitates the shifting of books. A standard height in the adult rooms is 6 feet 10 inches. This allows for a 2 inch cornice, 4 inch base, six shelves ^ inch finished and 7 spaces of nearly 10 inches each in the clear. This brings the top shelf within reach of all adults. Uprights should be % inch with end uprights 1% inches. Shelves may be 30 inches, never more than 36 inches, long by 8 inches deep, and should be adjustable. Metal pins for shelf supports are best. Drill a row of holes one and a half inches from each edge of up- right, an inch apart, into which the pins will fit. On the under side of the shelves cut slots to fit the projecting ends of the pins, so that when the shelves rest upon them the under surface will be perfectly smooth. Backing for wall cases is a needless expense, but if backing is considered necessary a composition board should be used. Walls back of cases may be painted to match woodwork. Shelving: Floor cases. Floor cases should be double faced with stand- ard dimensions for each case. A partition between is unnecessary, but cross pieces without sharp edges may be provided to prevent books from slipping into opposite sections. Five feet at least should be allowed be- tween cases. Cases should not be more than four sections in length, with aisles at both ends. Alcoves between floor cases may be provided with small round tables and chairs. 72 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION In the reference corner or room there should be some 10 inch depth shelving for large reference books. In a large stack room metal shelving is preferable to wood. Shelving: Children's shelves. Cases in the children's room should be built on the same plan as that adopted in the adult department except that it should be two shelves lower. In case uniformity of height throughout the library is desired cupboards may be made of the two top shelves or the vacant space may be covered with burlap or cork carpet for picture bulletins. Shelving: Estimate of capacity. Find the number of books to be shelved. Allow at least one-third of the space for growth. A full estimate is ten books of fiction to the running foot, or eight books including all classes. A tier with seven shelves, 36 inches long, will hold 210 ordinary books, or 168 average books, not allowing for growth. Children's books consume considerably less space than this. Books should never be crowded on the shelves. In arranging them, leave one-third of each shelf vacant to avoid shifting as books are added. Tables. Very long tables should be avoided. The unit of space for each adult reader should be 30 inches, hence, in length tables should be a multiple of 30 inches. Round tables seating six or eight readers are at- tractive but are most expensive in cost and space required. Therefore they may be mixed with oblong tables to better economy and also to more pleasing effect. The aisle space allowed between tables should be from 4 to S feet. There is a tendency in most libraries to crowd the floor space too much. Tables should be plain and substantial, without ornamentation. Avoid low side pieces, foot rails, and drawers which are sure to be used as. waste baskets. Sloping tables are not desirable. Children's tables. In choosing the furniture for the children's room it should be remembered that physical discomfort contributes not a little to the restlessness and mischief making proclivities of boys and girls. There- fore it is of the utmost importance that tables and chairs fit various stages of growth. The unit of space for a child is 26 inches, hence a multiple of 26 should fix the standard of length for tables in the children's room. Here, too, several small tables are better than a few large ones. They should be 30 inches wide and 26 and 28 inches high with perhaps one table as high as those provided for adults (30 inches). Chairs. Great care should be taken to secure comfortable chairs. They should be very plain, light in weight and strongly made, and must not be easily overbalanced. Cane and leather seats wear out quickly and repair bills are expensive and exasperating. Wooden boxed seats reinforced un- derneath in the corners by blocks are strongest and most satisfactory. Rungs should be so high they cannot be used for foot rests. Children's chairs. Chairs for the children's room should be in three sizes to fit the tables, with seats 14, 16 and 18 inches high. An adult chair with legs shortened by sawing should never be used. Desks. Since in a circulating library the loan desk is the most important ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 73 point of contact between the library and the public it is important that everything about it should be planned to promote quick and efficient service. In a very small library vphere the vpork is to be done by one person a flat top desk will answer the purpose. The drawers may be fitted with partitions at small expense to form compartments the correct size for filing application blanks, borrower's cards, or other library blanks. If a larger desk is needed it should be planned by some one who under- stands the problems involved. Stock desks made by* library furniture supply houses are usually a safer investment than cheaper desks made by a local carpenter or cabinet maker. A flat-top desk in the form of an octagon is convenient. It should be 40 inches high and the top not wider than 24 inches. In the top should be slits for dropping book cards into the drawer below. An opening directly at the back, or one at each side may be pro- vided. The desk inside should be fitted at the most convenient points with shelves for books returned, with drawers planned to hold borrower's cards, application blanks, postal cards, and miscellaneous blanks, with cupboards to hold loan desk supplies, and with a sliding shelf. This shelf should be 26 inches from the floor, and a space of three inches must be allowed above it to accommodate ink bottles, etc., when it is closed. A cash drawer should be convenient to the place where the charging tray is to stand. The charging tray may stand on top of the desk, or it may be built into the desk. If on the desk, pieces of felt pasted on the under side will pre- vent the tray from scratching the desk when moved about. A marble or slate mopboard is desirable as a protection against the boots of small boys. A low chair for the sliding shelf, and a high revolving chair should be provided. A foot rest at a cenvenient height under the desk near the charging tray will be needed. Wire screens or glass partitions around the loan desk are objectionable. A fiat-top desk or table should be provided for the librarian, aside from the charging desk, where the work of cataloging, etc., may be done away from the public. However, some provision should also be made at the loan desk for pick up work when the desk attendant is not busy with patrons. A desk attendant who is idle or comfortably reading during even a small portion of the day or evening is a poor argument with the tax payer for an increased tax levy or higher library salaries. On the other hand the hurried business or professional man does not wish to wait while a librarian puts the finishing touch upon a piece of work before she deigns to wait upon him. Card catalog case. Card cabinets, obtainable from library supply houses, although expensive, are the best economy in the end. The trays must be made to fit the cards exactly, and to be interchangeable in the cabinet; a result hard for the local carpenter to achieve satisfactorily. A cabinet with single trays holding 1,000 cards of the weight used by the average library is best. In buying a cabinet it is well to remember that the card catalog usually grows much faster than the librarian expects and that in the end one fairly large cabinet is more economical than several small ones. If cards have not been ordered separately, outfits including cabinet, 74 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION cards and bristol guides may be obtained complete. In buying stock of cards needed, estimate at least three cards to each book, and buy enough to last a year. The cabinets may stand on a table, or on a base specially provided. An explanation of how to use the catalog should be found on or near the catalog cabinet. Directions should be simple and should include in- formation about how to find the books on the shelves. Periodical case. A Case may be built into the wall for current peri- odicals, consisting of pigeon holes 4 inches high, 8 inches deep, and 10 inches long, above a ledge 36 inches from the floor. Below the ledge the shelves may be divided to accommodate the larger magazines. This case may be used for the recent unbound files. Another inexpensive way of taking care of unbound magazines is to place them in pamphlet boxes, allowing one box to each volume. In this way they may be shelved with the bound volumes. For the current numbers a special rack should be provided. Very good ones may be obtained from the library supply houses or they may be built into or against the wall. A sloping rack may consist of steps 6 inches high and 2J^ inches deep, with slats 3 inches wide across the face, the tops of the slats on a level with the steps, allowing a space 2 inches between. In such a rack the magazines should be arranged al- phabetically so that they may be quickly found. Book truck. A book truck is a necessity even in a small library. It consists of three strongly built shelves on wheels and should have rubber tires. It saves labor in carting books from the loan desk to the shelves, and is convenient for holding new books while being cataloged, for bindery books when being prepared for the bindery, and similar uses. Prices may be found in library supply catalogs. Sloping cases. Sloping cases are very convenient for displaying new books, and books on special topics, and for receiving books returned to the loan desk. When used for display rack it is desirable to have bulletin space above. Newspaper rack. Holders should be provided if newspapers are re- ceived at the library, and a rack or hooks to hold them fastened into the wall or book case partitions if space can be spared. Information files. Vertical files offer a convenient method of caring for pamphlets, clippings, pictures, etc. Cheap files are a poor investment and only the best should be considered. Unit files with detachable ends are the most desirable. In buying the first vertical unit it is necessary to include one pair of detachable ends, but for the additional units which are to be joined to the original unit no additional ends are required. The legal size file is recommended because it accommodates both over size pamphlets and mounted pictures and permits parallel rows of or- dinary size pamphlets on end, thus saving more space than the letter size file. The standard vertical file, legal size, is 4 drawers high, the inside measurement of each drawer being 10j4 inches high, ISJ^ inches wide and 24 inches deep. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 75 The material filed should have plenty of guides to make the information quickly accessible. Filing such material by subject in alphabetical ar- rangement is the most popular method and is self-indexing. Some librarians, however, prefer to classify pamphlets, clippings or pictures by the Decimal classification. Cross reference sheets should be used when necessary. Screens and bulletin boards. Unused shelves at the tops of cases may be covered with burlap, cork carpet, billiard cloth or other material for bulletin boards. A frame may be fitted into an unused section of a book case, or into a vacant wall space for the same purpose. A frame S feet high and 4 feet wide on standards may be covered in the same manner, and is con- venient because movable. It may be used to screen a table or corner as well as to display posters and pictures. A four-leaved screen 6 feet high will serve the purpose of bulletin board and partition if needed. If wall screens are backed with soft wood, thumb tacks may be used for posting lists and pictures. Dennison's ticket pins nos. 25 and 37 may be used in burlap and billiard cloth without injuring the wall behind it. A bulletin frame enclosed in glass, with lock and key, will be found convenient in the hall. Book supports. Book supports are necessary to keep books upright on the shelves. The appearance of the library is thus improved and the books are kept from injury. The covers of books not kept upright will be quickly strained, the threads will break, and rebinding soon be necessary. Good japanned tin supports costing 25 cents each, or $16.50 per hundred, are furnished by the Library Bureau. The Superior Metal Products Co., Independence, Missouri, sell standard book supports in small lots for 15 cents each, or in lots of 500 to 1000 for 14 cents each. The Art Metal Con- struction Co., Jamestown, N. Y., supplies an excellent support for its shelv- ing, which fits into grooves underneath the shelf above. Sharp corners or edges that may injure books or shelves must be avoided in all book supports. Shelf label holders. Labels of some kind should be provided for all shelves. Fiction labels should contain the names of authors, and be placed beneath the books by those authors. Class labels contain the names of subjects. Books are shifted from place to place as the library grows, hence the labels must be moved, and movable label holders are necessary. Library supply houses furnish label holders made to fit the standard % inch shelf. Work room or corner. A work room or corner where books are cata- loged, mended and prepared for the bindery should be provided with shelves for books and filing cases, drawers for catalog supplies and order cards, and cupboards for miscellaneous supplies. If a corner, it should be screened from sight. A table should be provided, neatly covered with oilcloth, or, if possible, with a glass or marble top. This table may be made very convenient with rows of drawers on either side fitted to hold mending and other supplies, and a small cupboard for paste, etc. Small conveniences mean time and money saved for the library. Cloak rooms. If possible a small room should be provided for the li- 76 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION brarian and assistants, with toilet facilities, a locker for hats and cloaks and other conveniences. If this is out of the question, a wardrobe should be provided for wraps and hats, as they are unsightly if left about the room. There should be hooks, or hat racks, and umbrella stands in a con- venient place for the public, where supervision is possible. SUPPLIES FOR A 1,000 VOLUME LIBRARY 1 A. L. A. List of subject headings {See p. 56) or if Library of Congress cards are used, List of subjet^t headings used in the dictionary cata- logues of the Library of Congress. See p. 56. 1 Dewey. Abridged Decimal classification. See p. 56. 1 Pittsburgh Carnegie library. Catalogue of books in the children's de- partment. 2 V. See p. 56. 1 Condensed accession book, press board covers (1000 lines) {Alternative Loose leaves for typewriter use with initial binder for same. An- nual order for leaves in quantity needed for 1 year.) 1 Cutter-Sanborn author table 1000 Application blanks 1000 Borrower's cards 1 Borrower's numerical register (1000 lines) 1500 Book pockets ISOO Book cards 1500 Date slips 100 "Seven day book" pasters 100 Binding slips 5000 P slips (Plain white paper, good stock, size and shape of catalog cards) 1 Charging tray (1000 card capacity) 1 Set date guides (celluloid tabs) 1 Set A-Z guides for application blank file 1 Pencil dater outfit with rubber dates and pad 3000 Catalog cards, unruled for typewriter use, ruled if for handwriting. (Allows 3 cards for each book: shelf card, author and title. As- sumes subject cards to be made later; if entire stock to be purchased at beginning, add 3000 more catalog cards) 150 Buff guides for catalog, 3rd cut 25 Book supports 25 Shelf label holders 1 Flat bone or ivory paper knife 1 Embossing stamp or rubber stamp bearing name of library 1 Ink stamp pad 1 Jar paste 1 Bottle white shellac 1 Bottle David's white letterine, to be used with Judges' quill 312 or Telegraphic No. 1876 pen. If paper labels are desired, omit white ink and include: ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 77 1 box gummed labels (Dennison's A44) 1 bottle Higgins' black drawing ink 3 Camel's hair brushes for shellac, paste, etc. 24 Circulation statistic sheets 12 Accounting Sheet forms, including general funds and petty cash 1 Stock sheet for record of book additions and withdrawals (large enough for 1 year's record) 100 Monthly periodical checking cards (not necessary to check newspapers in small libraries) 1 Bottle Carter's "Koal black" ink 1 Bottle Carter's fast red ink 6 Penholders 1 Box King's No. 9 pen, or any good long stub 2 Covered glass ink wells 6 Desk blotters 12 Hand blotters 6 Hard pencils 6 Medium pencils 1 Steel eraser 6 Rubber erasers 1 Pair shears Mending cloths, clips, thumb tacks, rubber bands ADDRESSES OF LIBRARY SUPPLY HOUSES Democrat Printing Co., Madison, Wis. Gaylord Brds., Syracuse, N. Y. The Globe-Wernicke Co., New York City. H. R. Huntting Co., Springfield, Mass. Library Bureau, Boston, New York, Chicago. Multum in Parvo Binder Co., Philadelphia. F. W. Wentworth & Co., San Francisco. LIBRARY LITERATURE General A. L. A. Manual of library economy. Chapters published separately. A. L. A., each, 20c. 1. American library history. C. K. Bolton. 1911 2. Library of Congress. W. W. Bishop. 1911 3. The State library. J. I. Wyer. 1915 4. The College and University library. J. I. Wyer. Revised 1921 5. Proprietary and subscription libraries. C. K. Bolton. 1917 6. The free public library. Isabel Ely Lord. 1914 7. The high school library. G. O. Ward. 1915 8. Special libraries. R. H. Johnston. 1915 9. Library legislation. William F. Yust. Revised 1921 78 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 10. Library building. W. R. Eastman. Revised 1918 11. Furniture, fixtures and equipment. Linda A. Eastman. 1916 12. Administration of a public library. A. E. Bostwick. Revised 1920 13. Training for librarianship. Mary W. Pluramer. (Revised ed. by F. K. Walter. 1921) 16. Book selection. Elva L. Bascom. 1915 17. Order and accession department. F. F. Hooper. Revised 1916 18. Classification. Corinne Bacon. 1916 19. The catalog. Harriet E. Howe. 1921 20. Shelf department. Josephine A. Rathbone. Revised 1918 21. Loan work. Carl P. P. Vitz. Revised 1919 23. Government documents (state and city) J. I. Wyer. 1915 24. Bibliography. Isadore G. Mudge. 1915 25. Pamphlets and minor library material. J. I. Wyer and others. 1917 27. Library commissions and state library extension, or state aid and state agencies. Asa Wynkoop. 1913 30. Library work with the blind. Mary C. Chamberlain. 1915 Chapters temporarily out of print: 14, Library service; 15, Branch libraries; 22, Reference department; 26, Book-binding; 29, Library work with children; 32, Library printing. Chapters 28 and 31 have not yet been published. Bostwick, A. E. The American public library. Rev. ed. 1917. Appleton, $2.25. — Some principles of business-like conduct in libraries (Library handbook no. 11) 1920. A. L. A., 25c. Brown, M. W. The mending and repair of books (Library handbook no. 6), revised by Gertrude Stiles. A. L. A., 25c. Dana, J. C. A library primer. Rev. ed. 1922. Library Bureau, $3. — & Gardner, Blanche. The picture collection (Modern American library economy) 1917. Wilson, $1. Kroeger, Alice B. Guide to the study and use of reference books; rev. and enlarged by Isadore G. Mudge. (now printing) A. L. A., $3. Miller, Z. K. How to organize a library. 1921. Library Bureau, free. Walter, F. K. Periodicals for the small library. 3d ed. 1919. A. L. A., 25c. Consult also the following special lists in this pamphlet: Book selection aids, p. 26. Cataloging aids, p. 56. Children's book selection aids, p. 19. County library aids, p. 79. School instruction aids, p. 22. Story hour aids, p. 21. PERIODICALS Public Libraries (monthly except August and September) Library Bureau, $3. Library Journal (twice a month) Bowker, $5. Library Bulletins. Published by state library commissions. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 79 PUBLISHERS OF BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS PAMPHLET A. L. A. American library association, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. Appleton. Daniel Appleton & Co., 29-35 W. 32d St., New York City. Bowker. R. R. Bowker Co., 62 W. 45th St., New York City. Faxon. F. W. Faxon Co., 83 Francist St., Boston. Houghton. Houghton Mifflin Co., 4 Park St., Boston. Library Bureau, 6 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. McClurg. A. C. McClurg & Co., 330-352 E. Ohio St., Chicago. Rand. Rand-McNally & Co., Rand-McNally Bldg., Chicago. Supt. of doc. Superintendent of documents. Union Bldg., Washington, D. C. Williams & Wilkins Co., 2419-2421 York Road, Baltimore, Md. Wilson. H. W. Wilson Co., 958-964 University Ave., New York City. World. World Book Co., Park Hill, Yonkers-on-Hudson, N. Y. COUNTY LIBRARIES Many states have county library laws which make it possible for a county to tax itself for the purpose of extending service to all of its residents. Information concerning such laws may be obtained from state library com- missions or from the American Library Association. The following is a list of the states having some form of county library law: Alabama, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. The following publications will be of interest to those interested in county libraries: American library association. Book wagons; the county library with rural book delivery. 1921. A. L. A., 15c. — A county library. 1921. A. L. A., 4c. Green book of county library methods. 1921. Gaylord, free. Miller, Z. K. County library forms. 1921. Library Bureau, free. LIBRARY COMMISSIONS The first State Library Commission was organized in Massachusetts in 1890, for the purpose of promoting the establishment and efficiency of free public libraries. The value of having some sort of a state board to ad- vance library interests, has been steadily shown by the excellent results accomplished, and library commissions have now been created in 39 states. Although library commissions in various parts of the country differ ma- terially in their methods and organization, owing to variety of local con- ditions and needs, they all have as a common aim the spread of the free library movement as a department of public education and making good books accessible to all communities. The most important work of a li- brary commission is the establishment of free public libraries under exist- 80 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION ing state laws. This is done in some of the older states by means of direct state aid, but in the western states more often by arousing interest and en- couraging the towns to go to work for themselves. The commissions further assist in the organization and administration of libraries, giving advice as to selection of books, cataloging, and other details of library management, including also the training of librarians in technical knowledge, either in a training school for librarians, or by visits to the library itself. They seek in every possible way to give encouragement and help, and to increase the efficiency of public libraries. Through systems of traveling libraries some of the commissions also endeavor to reach the farming communities and small villages which cannot afford to maintain a public library, with frequent accessions of books, and small and struggling libraries have often been helped materially in this way. ADDRESSES OF STATE LIBRARY COMMISSIONS, WITH OFFICIAL TITLE OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Alabama Department of Archives and History, Division of Library Ex- tension: Director. Montgomery. California State Library: State Librarian. Sacramento. Colorado State Library Commission: Secretary. Fort Collins. Colorado Traveling Library Commission: President. Denver. Connecticut Public Library Committee: Secretary. Public Library, Hartford. Delaware State Library Commission: Secretary. Delaware State Library, Dover. Georgia Library Commission: Secretary. Atlanta. Idaho State Traveling Library Commission : Secretary. Boise. Illinois State Library, Library Extension Division: Superintendent. Spring- field. Indiana Public Library Commission: Secretary. State House, Indianapolis. Iowa Library Commission: Secretary. Historical, Memorial and Art Build- ing, Des Moines. Kansas Traveling Libraries Commission: Secretary. Topeka. Kentucky Library Commission: Secretary. Frankfort. Louisiana State Library Commission: Chairman. New Orleans. Maine State Library, Bureau of Library Extension: Director. State Library, Augusta. Maryland Public Library Commission: Secretary. State Normal School, Towson. Massachusetts Board of Free Public Library Commissioners: General Sec- retary and Library Advisor. State House, Boston. Michigan State Library: State Librarian. Lansing. Minnesota Department of Education, Library Division: Library Director. St. Paul. Missouri Library Commission: Secretary. Jefferson City. Nebraska Public Library Commission: Secretary. Lincoln. New Hampshire Public Library Commission : Secretary. State Library Build- ing, Concord. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 81 New Jersey Public Library Commission: Librarian. Trenton. New York, The University of the State of New York, Library Extension Division: Chief. State Education Bldg., Albany. North Carolina Library Commission: Secretary. Raleigh. North Dakota Public Library Commission: Librarian and Director. Bis- marck. Ohio State Board of Library Commissioners: Secretary. State Library, Co- lumbus. Oklahoma Library Commission: Secretary, Oklahoma City. Oregon State Library: State Librarian. Salem. Pennsylvania State Library, Library Extension Division: Chief. Harrisburg. Rhode Island State Board of Education, Library Division : Secretary. State House, Providence. South Dakota Free Library Commission: Secretary. Pierre. Tennessee Department of Public Instruction, Division of Library Extension: Director. Nashville. Texas State Library: Librarian. Austin. Utah Department of Public Instruction: Library secretary and organizer. Salt Lake City. Vermont Free Public Library Commission: Secretary. Montpelier. Virginia State Library: Librarian. Richmond. Washington State Library Commission : Secretary. Olympia. Wisconsin Free Library Commission : Secretary. Madison. Wyoming State Library: Librarian. Cheyenne. LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS The American Library Association. The American Library Association is an organization of librarians, library trustees and others interested in libraries. It was founded in Philadelphia in 1876 as the immediate result of a three days' conference held in connection with the Centennial exhibi- tion. Its purpose is: To foster the development of libraries and promote the use of books. To give through its Headquarters and committees advisory assistance to all who are interested in library establishment, extension and develop- ment. To maintain an Employment Bureau which will serve librarians seeking positions, and libraries which need librarians and assistants. To attract promising young men and women who have the necessary personal and educational qualifications, to library work as a profession. To hold conferences for the discussion of library topics, and to publish the conference Papers and Proceedings for members of the Association. To publish books, periodicals and pamphlets which will aid in the estab- lishment of libraries, and which will aid trustees and librarians in render- ing library service. To raise the professional standards, dignify library service, and improve library salaries. 82 ESSENTIALS IN LiBRARY ADMINISTRATION To assist in making books a vital, working, educational force in Amer- ican life, and in making libraries easily accessible to all the people. The executive and publishing offices of the Association are at 78 E. Wash- ington St., Chicago, on the second floor of the Chicago Public Library build- ing. Members visiting Chicago may have their mail sent to this address and are invited to use the office as headquarters. Any person or institution interested in library work may become a member. The annual dues are two dollars for individuals who receive the Bulletin (not including the Handbook and Proceedings) and four dollars for those who receive the Bulletin complete, incMding the Handbook and Proceed- ings. An entrance fee of one dollar must be paid by individuals upon joining or rejoining if membership has lapsed. Institutional membership is five dollars per year. Contributing members are persons, institutions or organizations paying twenty-five dollars annually. Sustaining members are persons, institutions or organizations paying one hundred dollars or more annually. On payment of fifty dollars any individual member may become a life member. All applications for membership and remittances for dues should be sent to A. L. A. Headquarters. Every member of the A. L. A. helps with personal influence and financial support to promote the development of libraries and the improvement of library service, by helping to carry on the work of a great international library organization. All members have the privilege of voting at meetings, have the advantage of special travel and hotel rates at conferences and have their names and addresses printed in the Handbook. Members also receive copies of the A. L. A. Bulletin as noted in the paragraphs above. The Association has a membership of about 5,500 from every state in the union and the District of Columbia. There are 24 U. S. dependencies and foreign countries also represented. The place of its annual meeting is purposely varied to reach diiferent sections of the country. Every eflFort should be made by librarians to attend this gathering, since here new ideas, enthusiasm and professional spirit are generated. State Associations. State associations are in a measure the outgrowth of the American Library Association, and each aims to do for its own state what the American Library Association does for the entire country. It is not always possible for librarians in small towns to attend the meet- ings of the American Library Association, and it is all the more important that they should attend the state meetings. These meetings are of the greatest value both to trustees and librarians. Library boards should send their librarian, and her expenses should be paid from library funds. Trustees themselves should attend for the purpose of getting a compara- tive view of library work of the state, thereby raising the local standard of efficiency. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 83 In some states the state association has done various kinds of constructive work such as securing adequate library laws, lending moral support to the library commission at critical times, and so on. Local Associations. It is often wise to hold occasional meetings of people interested in library work in different parts of the state for those who iind it difficult to attend the larger gatherings. In this way the needs of special localities may receive consideration. Where the local library staff is large, staff meetings are held for mutual helpfulness and inspiration. ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 85 INDEX Access to shelves 15 Accession record .. 42-47 Advertising the library. '.'..'.'.'.'. .36-38 A.Li.A. Catalog . , 26, 48 A.L.A. Catalog, 1904-H 26 A.Li.A. Catalog, 1912-22 27 A.L.A. Manual of library economy 77 A.Li.A. resolution 32 A.L..A. statistical report form.. 18, 39 A.L.A. Subject headings 52 American Library Association .... 38, 81-82 American public library. Bost- wick 8, 9, 19, 71 Ammonia 42 Analytical subject card 54 Annual report 38-39 Application blank 59 Apprentice system 12-13 Architect 14 Art Metal Construction Co 75 Assistants 12 Associations 81-83 Atlanta Carnegie library school.. 14 Author card 53 Author number 47 Author table. Cutter 47 Best books. New York State.. 48, 55 BiUs 33, 36 Binders, periodical 29 Binding 39, 62-65 Blanks and forms 58-61 Blue books 31 Board meetings 11 Board of directors 9-11 Book binding 62-65 Book buying 25-27, 40-41 Book card 42, 57, 60 Book cases 15, 71-72 Book committee 25 Book-keeping 33-36 Book labels 42 Booklist, A.Ij.A ..19, 20, 27, 29, 32, 39, 41, 48, 55 Book marks 38 Book numbers 47 Book plate 41 Book pocket 42, 57. 60 Book reviews 27 Book selection 19-20, 25-27 Book supports 75 Book truck 74 Books for boys and girls 19-22 Borrowers' cards 57-59 guarantee 68 non-fiction 58 non-resident 18 registration 18, 67-58 rules 18 special privilege 68 Bostwick. The American public library 8, 9, 19, 73 Branches and stations 18 Brett. Open shelf question 15 Brushes 68 Budget, library 32 Building •„• ■ • • ■ ■ 14 Bulletin boards 22, 24, 7o Bulletins 21. 24 Business side of a library 32-36 By-laws for boards of directors. .9-11 Call number 42, 47 Card catalog 52-56 Carnegie library school, Pitts- burgh 14 Cash account 33 Cash drawer 73 Catalog, card 52-56, 73 printed 54-66 typewritten 52-53 written 53 Catalog cases 73-74 Cataloging 52-56 aids 56 Chairs 72 Charging tray 73 Children's book shelves 72 books 7. 19-20, 49-50 cataloging 55-56 chairs 72 corner 19 hours 17 periodicals , 20 reading ; 7, 19 room 19I 21 tables 72 Circulation statistics 61 City reports 31 Civil service examinations 12 Classification 47-50 Cleaning the library 16 Cleveland library league 20 Clippings 30 Class-room libraries 23 Cloak rooms 75-76 Closet 16 Commissions, library .'79-81 Committees of library boards.. 10, 36 Contagious diseases 68-69 Cork carpet 70 County libraries , , 79 Cross reference card [' 54 Cumulative book index 27, 55 Cutter. Author table 47 Dana. Library rules question 17 Dating slip 60 Decoration of library rooms... 15, 70 Delivery desk 72-73 Democrat Printing Co 39, 68 Dennison labels 42 ticket pins '76 Deposit stations 18 Depository libraries 31-32 Desks 15, 72-73 Dewey. Decimal classification. 47-50 Dictionary catalog 52 Directors 9-11 Disinfection of books 68-69 Documents, public 31-32 state 31 Duplicate pay collection 30 Embossing stamp 41 Entrance 18 Exhibits 21 Expenditures 10 Fiction selection 26 Files, vertical 74-75 Financial forms 33-35 Fines 18, 57, 60 Floors 70 S6 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION INDEX— Continued Page Foreign books 28 Formalin ^9 Fumigation • ■ 69 Furniture and fittmgs 70-76 Gardner & Dana. The picture col- lection 24, 25 Gaylord Bros 68 Gifts 26 Guarantor's pledge 68 Guide cards '^5 Guide to reference books. Kroe- Supplement. Mudge 27 Handbook of card distribution. Library of Congress 54, 65 Health board 69 Heating 16 Holiday opening 17 Hours and days of opening 16-17 How to organize a library. Mil- ler 58 Illinois university library school. 14 India ink 42 Insurance 36 Inventory 36 Janitor 16 Kroeger. Guide to reference books 27 Labels, book 42 shelf 75 Laws, library 8 League, library 20 Librarian 10-14 Librarian's report 36 Library, architect 14 arrangement 14 assistants 12 budget 32 building 14-16 establishment 8 funds 33 instruction in schools 22 laws 8 local interest 8-9 location 14 necessity for 7 organization of 8 reports 38-39 revenue 32 trustees ............... .......9—11 Library and the chlid 7, 19-22 Library and the school 22-24 Library associations 81-83 Library branches 18 Library Bureau 39, 53. 75 Library commissions 14, 79-81 Library Journal 12, 27 Library leagues 20 Library literature 77-78 Library of Congress. Handbook of card distribution 54-55 Library of Congress, printed cards ; 54-55 subject headings 52 Library of Congress printed cards, how to order and use them.... 54 Library schools 13-14 Library stations 18 Page Library training 13-14 Linoleum 70 Lighting .....15-16, 70-71 Loan system 56-58 Local associations 83 Local history collections 30-31 Los Angeles public library school 14 Lost cards 18 Magazine binders 29 Magazines 20, 28-29, 78 Mechanical preparation of books 41-42 Meetings of library board 11 Mending 65-68 Miller. How to organize a library 58 Monthly reports 39 Mudge. Kroeger's Guide to refer- ence books. Supplement 27 National Education Association, library section 23 Newark system 57 Newspaper publicity 37 Newspaper rack 74 New York public library school.. 14 New York State library. Bulletin of best books 48 New York State library school... 14 Non-residents 18 Onion skin paper 68 Open shelves 15 Opening, hours of 16-17 Opening a book 41 Order routine 39-41 Over-due books 18, 67, 60 Pamphlet boxes 29 Pamphlets 29-30 Paper knife 41 Paste 68 Pay collection 30 Perforating stamp 41 Periodical case 74 Periodicals 20, 28-29, 78 Periodicals for the small library. Walter 28 Picture bulletins 24 Picture collection. Gardner & Dana 24, 25 Picture collections 24,. 74-75 Pictures, wall 14-15 Pittsburgh Carnegie library bulle- tins 48 Catalogue 48 Pittsburgh Carnegie library school 14 Placards 38 Postal notices 38 Posters 38 Pratt institute library school 14 Press 68 Printed catalog cards 54-56 Printed lists 38 Public documents 31-32 Public libraries 12 Publicity 36-38 Publishers' addresses 79 Publishers' catalogs 27 Publishers' weekly 27, 38 Readers' guide to priodlcal litera- ture 29 Reading lists 38 ESSENTIALS IN LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 87 INDEX— Continued Page Reference books 27-28 work 27 Registration 57-58 Renewals 18 Renting collection '. . 30 Reports, library 36, 38-39 Reports, town and city 31 Reserve books 18 Reviews 27 Rules and regulations 17-18 Salaries 11 St. Louis library school 14 School duplicate collections. .. .23-24 School instruction in the use of libraries 22 Schools, library 14 Schools and libraries 22-23 Schultz Hudson pamphlet boxes.. 29 Screen 75 Selection of books 19-20, 25-27 Seven day books 18, 60 Shears 68 Shelf label holders 75 Shelf list 50-51 Shellac varnish for labels 42, 68 Shelving 15, 71-72 Signs 15, 16 Simmons college library school. . 14 Sloping cases 74 Special privilege cards 58 Stacks 15 Stamps 41 State documents 31 State library associations 82-83 State library commissions. .14, 79-81 Stations 18 Statistics 38-39, 47 Story hour 21-22 Subject card 53 Subject headings 52, 55-66, 75 Summer schools for library train- ing 13 Sunday opening 17 Superior Metal Products Co 75 Supplies 76-77 Page Supply houses 77 Syracuse university library school 14 Tables 15, 72 Teachers' cards 22 Teachers, co-operation of 22 Temporary residents 18 Thread 67, 68 Time limit for borrowing 18 Title card 53 Toilet conveniences 16 Town reports 31 Training, library 13-14 Training classes 13 Trays 73 Truck, book 74 Trustees 9-11 Typewriter 52-53 U.S. Catalog of books in print, 1912 55 Supplements, 1912-17, 1918-21. 55 U.S. Government documents in small libraries. Wyer 31 Vacations 11 Ventilation 16 Vertical nie 74-75 Volunteer service 12 Vouchers 33 Walls, decoration 14-15, 70 Walter. Periodicals for the small library 28 Wash bowl 16 Washington, University of, library school 14 Western Reserve library school.. 14 Windows 16 Wisconsin university library school 14 Withdrawal record 36, 62 Woodwork 70 Workroom 75 Wyer. U.S. Government docu- ments in small libraries 31